126 CONDITIONS, ETC. 



kect helpers of the bees.* Coming back a step farther 

 we may say that the old maids are also indirect friends 

 of the humble bees, and indirect enemies of the field 

 mice, as they keep the cats which eat np the latter ! 

 This is an illustration somewhat beneath the dignity of 

 the subject, perhaps, but it occurs to me in passing, and 

 with it I will conclude this lecture. 



* The humble bees, on the other hand, are direct helpers of 

 some plants, such as the heartsease and red clover, which are 

 fertilized by the visits of the bees ; and they are indirect helpers 

 of the numerous insects which are more or less completely sup- 

 ported by the heartsease and red clover. 



